Israeli airstrikes killed at least 41 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, with 29 of the victims struck while awaiting humanitarian aid near distribution centres. Approximately 100 others were injured in the attacks.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed profound skepticism regarding Israel’s claim that its strike on Gaza’s Greek Orthodox church compound was accidental. “This is a dramatic development,” Parolin stated in an interview with Tg2, Vatican media reported. “We need time to understand what truly happened. It is legitimate to doubt whether this was truly an error, or if there was an intent to target a Christian church, knowing Christians are a moderating force in the Middle East.” Parolin confirmed Pope Francis was directly informed of the incident, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s subsequent phone call to the Pontiff “positive”. He stressed the urgent need for a credible investigation into the church attack and tangible actions to address Gaza’s “truly unsustainable” humanitarian crisis, condemning the “limitless war” and destruction inflicted on the population.
Meanwhile, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa continued his pastoral visit to Gaza’s Holy Family Parish, the site of last week’s deadly strike which killed three and wounded ten, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. Pizzaballa is providing direct comfort to the besieged community, whose special protected status as a place of worship was violated. The Patriarch participated in morning prayers with children, celebrated Mass alongside Romanelli and other priests, and visited the parish’s on-site communion wafer workshop, which has sustained local churches throughout the conflict. His delegation returns to Jerusalem Tuesday.
Separately, US President Donald Trump announced to Republican supporters that “most hostages” held in Gaza have been recovered and “another 10 will be released shortly.”
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